Trap shooting

[Ramonin60]

Good evening to everyone. I just registered to this site looking for advice.
I'm interested in trap shooting and don't know if to get a double or single barrel
Shot gun. Also how long should the barrel be for starters.
Thanks

[shovelon]

Good evening to everyone. I just registered to this site looking for advice.
I'm interested in trap shooting and don't know if to get a double or single barrel
Shot gun. Also how long should the barrel be for starters.
Thanks

You should rent one first if you are shooting at a range. Become a member at your local trap range and rentals may be free.

[HondoRoll]

if you get an under over or semi auto you can shoot skeet and olympic more easily. its possible with a pump, and also way more fun but you wont be as competitive in skeet, olympic trap and doubles. but if you are shooting just 16+ yard trap just go grab one of these

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model-870/model-870-express.aspx

[m16]

Welcome to the forum.

I shoot trap with a Wingmaster, it's got a 28" vent rib barrel.

It's perfect for me since I don't shoot skeet or anything involving pairs.

My advice is to go to a range and try out some different shotguns to see what you like before you buy anything, and get some instruction - it will be much more enjoyable.

[bigbearbear]

I'll have to warn you, trap shooters are the whiniest bunch of prima donas you'll find at the shooting range, you might want to consider shooting skeet or sporting clay instead. They complain and whine about everything; your barrel is too short, your ported barrel is too loud, your auto/pump shotgun is throwing shells and hitting their shotgun, people watching are talking too loudly, you're shooting too slow, you're shooting too fast, your movement distracted them despite them wearing blinders, Grand American should not be held in Sparta etc.

Having said that, I love trap shooting and do so almost every weekend.

In my opinion, the one overriding requirement when you select a shotgun for trap shooting should be fit. The shotgun must fit you or you won't do well with it. Generally speaking, it is easier to for stock fitters to adjust wooden stocks so that the shotgun fits you, they're easier to work on compared to synthetic stocks. So keep this in mind when you shop for a shotgun.

You get "more gun for your buck" if you go with a semi-auto or pump action shotgun. It'll be more difficult to shoot doubles with pump action shotguns but it can done. If you're planning to go into competitions however, you will be required to use some form of shell catcher if you go this route. Many use a rubber band to prevent the shell from hitting the shooter next to them. This is part of the reason why I don't shoot competitions, all the whining makes me sick. I mean, come on, you want to play with guns, you'll have deal with shells right?

Most people go with a break action shotguns, either double barrel (if you plan to shoot doubles) or single barrel (specialized trap shotgun like the BT99 for example), with wooden stock. Besides the fitting issue, the break action is also very easy to make safe on the shooting line and you won't have to deal with shells hitting other shooters.

The choice of barrel length is a personal one, I go with a 28" barrel on my Benelli Supersport 12 gauge (its a semi-auto). The only thing you'll want to watch out for, is the min. barrel length requirement at the range you plan to shoot at. Many ranges have rules that requires your shotgun to have a barrel with min. length. In general, if you get a shotgun with at least 26" barrel, you'll be fine. The choice of action on your shotgun will also have an impact, the receivers on semi-auto shotguns are longer than those on break action ones. For example, the total length of my shotgun with a 28" barrel is about the same as the total length of a break action shotgun with a 30" barrel.

[Thefeeder]

><

Ramon

Call your local ranges and ask if they can get a new Trap shooter going. Can they offer lessons, gun rental or a club sponsor to show you the ropes

If you close to San Francisco....PM me, I'll be that sponsor

As far as to which gun.....I have no clue what you would prefer...thats up to you after you try a few.

The basics for a starter shotgun:

26" or longer barrel(s)
Interchangable choke tubes
Good fit ( How the gun naturally fits your body type and shape. Same as picking a bolwing ball, baseball bat or golf clubs that fit you)

The rest is just what you like about the shotgun

[ysr_racer]

I'll have to warn you, trap shooters are the whiniest bunch of prima donas you'll find at the shooting range, you might want to consider shooting skeet or sporting clay instead. They complain and whine about everything; your barrel is too short, your ported barrel is too loud, your auto/pump shotgun is throwing shells and hitting their shotgun, people watching are talking too loudly, you're shooting too slow, you're shooting too fast, your movement distracted them despite them wearing blinders, Grand American should not be held in Sparta etc...

I've been saying that for years

[jbk]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigbearbear
I'll have to warn you, trap shooters are the whiniest bunch of prima donas you'll find at the shooting range, you might want to consider shooting skeet or sporting clay instead. They complain and whine about everything; your barrel is too short, your ported barrel is too loud, your auto/pump shotgun is throwing shells and hitting their shotgun, people watching are talking too loudly, you're shooting too slow, you're shooting too fast, your movement distracted them despite them wearing blinders, Grand American should not be held in Sparta etc...

Lmao

[Hank15]

You need to get a shotgun that fits with a very good recoil reducing (felt recoil that is) pad or system.

Trap is a game of concentration and endurance, if your shoulder/face hurts after 50 rounds you're not going to focus very well...

Strongly recommend an used 1100 that can be had for about $600.

[Jpzum]

Where are you, OP? If you are in the South Bay, I could make some recommendations on where to bust some clays without spending too much. I have a mossberg 500 that is not at all fancy, but I'd let you at least try it out and you could at least get a baseline. I bought my scattergun for less than $100 used, but I've had tons of fun busting clays. It doesn't always have to be about getting some fancy gun or what the experienced trap guys think about you. Both of my usual ranges let you shoot at your own pace without experts watching over your every move. My cheap gun with a box of clay birds up at los altos, or at coyote has been tons of fun and a way to break in to trap/sporting clays without judgment from "experts". If you are trying to pick a perfect trap gun from the outset..... That could be $$$$$$$. And you might discover that your inexperienced self bought the wrong gun. Seeking expert instruction makes a lot of sense, but so does blasting some clay birds without blindly spending $$$$$$$$

Again. I'm no expert. I've been blessed to live near some great places to shoot shotguns. But, you don't need to invest very much money to try it out.

[JagerDog]

Any good quality field automajic with screw-in chokes is a good place to start with trap. 28" barrel is perfect in the field and fine for trap. It also allows you to shoot any of the other games with minimal if any handicap.

If you really get into it long haul, you'll know what game(s) you like and what guns are most preferred for that discipline. If not, you'll still have a very versatile gun for occassional targets or hunting.

[SneezySky]

Tagged for good info

[SDM44]

If you're planning to go into competitions however, you will be required to use some form of shell catcher if you go this route. Many use a rubber band to prevent the shell from hitting the shooter next to them. This is part of the reason why I don't shoot competitions, all the whining makes me sick. I mean, come on, you want to play with guns, you'll have deal with shells right?

Can you go into more detail on this?

[Thefeeder]

><

Just place a rubber band around the reciever in front of the bold release lever.

[jay_cue]

you just place a rubber band around the barrel and slide it all the way to the ejection port. the rubber band prevents the shell from ejecting. you simply pull it out by hand then load your next round. even if the shell ends up ejecting it doesn't get very far.